By Adam Brown
Sports Editor
adam.brown@hottytoddy.com
Ole Miss sophomore defender Grace Johnson was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week on Monday by the conference office.
The Rebels are coming off back-to-back victories over Kentucky and No. 25 Mississippi State over the weekend to lock a spot at the SEC Soccer Tournament. Johnson was a key force on the back line for Ole Miss, which was the only team in the conference to hold its opponents to no goals scored.
The Centerville, Utah native was paramount in the Rebel defense’s shut down against Kentucky on the road. Johnson led the team in various categories including challenges won, air challenges won and successful tackles without committing a foul.
The center back followed up with a solid defensive performance in the 2-0 victory over No. 25 Mississippi State on Sunday, holding two of the SEC’s top-10 scorers in Zakirah McGillivary and MaKayla Waldner to a single shot on goal. The Rebels retained the Magnolia Cup for a fifth-straight season—the longest streak by either side in the series’ history.
